On Friday, the health committee of the city council turned down a proposal aimed at phasing out horse-drawn carriages. As a result, a city ordinance could soon be on the table for discussion.
“This is a poorly conceived and stupid bill. I would gladly vote against it,” Councilman Jim Gennaro (D-24) expressed passionately, aligning himself with the majority and the Transport Workers Union, which represents the carriage drivers.
About 200 demonstrators from both sides gathered outside 250 Broadway in Lower Manhattan, where a discussion about “Rider’s Law,” named after a horse named Ryder that collapsed while working in August 2022, was underway.
The bill was first introduced by City Councilman Robert Holden (D-30) in 2024. During the committee meeting, he argued that the horses transporting tourists in Central Park are subjected to “terrible conditions” that could potentially endanger visitors.
“Are we waiting for someone to get killed? That’s what we’re waiting for. If a tragedy occurred, this council would take immediate action,” Holden remarked.
Yet, some council members, including Gennaro, expressed their objections to Holden’s approach.
City Councilman Justin Brannan (D-47), who identifies as an animal lover, weighed in, saying, “I have ‘Meat is Murder’ tattooed on my neck. I have no issue with the horses in Central Park. There’s room for compromise, but it’s not found in Ryder’s Law.”
The bill to phase out horse-drawn carriage tourism by 2026 gained traction after another horse, Lady, collapsed and died, though it was later determined that health issues were at play.
Adding to the controversy, Mayor Eric Adams voiced his support for banning horse-drawn rides entirely following the incident.
After the committee meeting, he criticized the council’s decision, stating, “It’s disappointing that the City Council has once again ignored public sentiment, risking pedestrians, drivers, and animals in the process.”
Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani expressed his discontent with the industry but indicated a willingness to establish a committee for further examination of the matter.
Ryder’s Law managed to gather one affirmative support from Holden, but received four negative votes from Reps. Oswaldo Feliz (D-15), Brannan, Carmen de la Rosa (D-10), and Gennaro. Committee Chairs Lynn Schulman (D-29) and Mercedes Narcisse (D-46) chose to abstain, while four members were absent.
“This was one of the most undemocratic performances I have ever witnessed on the New York City Council,” Holden stated after the session.
Holden also mentioned plans to protest after Schulman denied his request for a public hearing on the bill, with Schulman justifying his decision by pointing out that Holden isn’t a member of the Board of Health.
